The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism(PVE) as and When Conducive to Terrorism is observed annually on 12 February across the globe to raise awareness about the threats associated with violent extremism that can lead to terrorism and to enhance international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
- 12 February 2025 marks the observance of the 3rd International Day of PVE.
Background:
i.On 20 December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/77/243, designating 12 February as the International Day of PVE.
- The first-ever International Day of PVE was observed on 12 February 2023.
ii.The UNGA invited the Office of Counter-Terrorism, in collaboration with other relevant entities of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, to facilitate the observance of this day.
Violent Extremism:
i.Violent extremism undermines the core principles of the UN’s, including peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.
- It destabilizes societies, infringes upon human rights, and hampers development efforts.
ii.The threat of terrorism remains a global concern, with groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaida exploiting various vulnerabilities to advance their agendas.
iii.No country or region is immune to the effects of terrorism and violent extremism. These threats impact social cohesion, sustainable development, and human rights worldwide.
Note:The UN highlights that violent extremism fosters intolerance whether religious, cultural, or social, leading to devastating humanitarian consequences.
UN’s Commitment to Preventing Violent Extremism:
i.UN Charter: Preventing Violent Extremism is a fundamental commitment under the principles and values enshrined in the UN Charter.
ii.Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): A milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights of all humans.
iii.UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy: A comprehensive framework adopted in 2006 to enhance international cooperation in countering terrorism.
iv.UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Reviewed biennially since 2006, this strategy serves as a platform for Member States to reaffirm their commitment to international collaboration in countering terrorism.
v.8th Review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Took place in 2023, culminating in the adoption of resolution A/RES/77/298 by the UNGA on 22 June 2023 underscoring the need for enhanced cooperation among governments and the international community to prevent and combat terrorism.
vi.Global Programme on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE): Delivered through the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), this programme is dedicated to enhancing the resilience of individuals and communities against violent extremism and mitigating the threat of terrorism.
2025 Events:
On 12 February 2025, the UNs commemorated the International Day of PVE through a series of events and activities.
i.Main Event: International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE)
- Organized by the UNOCT, under the framework of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Compact Working Group on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the UN.
- This event provided an opportunity for the international community to come together and discuss strategies and innovative options for operationalizing whole-of-government and society approaches aimed at addressing new and emerging PVE challenges.
ii.Side Event: Prevention of Violent Extremism through the Implementation of Tajikistan’s National Strategy on Countering Terrorism and Extremism (2021-2025)
- Organized by UNOCT, UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), and the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan to the UN.
- This side event focused on Tajikistan’s national strategy for countering terrorism and extremism, highlighting its implementation and impact on preventing violent extremism.
Points to Note:
i. The President of the UNGA appointed co-facilitators from the Permanent Missions of Canada and Tunisia, supported by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) as the substantive secretariat.
ii.The 9th review in 2026 aligns with the 20th anniversary of the Strategy’s adoption.
About UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT):
Under-Secretary-General – Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America
Established- 2017
